The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has launched the Nkabom Collaborative Project, marking a major milestone in efforts to transform Ghana’s agri-food and nutrition ecosystem.
As part of the launch, the project also inaugurated the Agri-Food Centre of Excellence, established in partnership with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).
The facility is expected to drive innovation, skills development and industry partnerships across the agricultural value chain.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of the Nkabom Collaborative Secretariat at McGill University, Canada, Mr. Piere Brunache Jr., underscored the scale of the initiative.
“This Centre will serve as a training ground for thousands of Ghanaians. The Nkabom Collaborative aims to create 55,000 jobs and establish 3,000 small- to medium-sized enterprises," he revealed.
"This centre is crucial because it will help young people understand that agriculture is not just about production.
You saw the demonstrations with drones, and others, the youth will learn all these here. The Nkabom Collaborative, KNUST staff, and faculty will engage in experiential learning, teaching students and entrepreneurs outside the traditional classroom,” he noted.
Project Lead, Prof. William Otoo Ellis, highlighted the importance of the initiative and the significance of the day.
“We decided to launch the programme today, which is Farmers’ Day, and it is very significant and unique. For KNUST, our focus is on agri-food, and since today is a special day for farmers, we believe it is the perfect moment to introduce an initiative that speaks directly to agriculture.
The value chains within the agri-food sector are numerous, and we believe that if we build capacities within this space, our young ones, who are talented and innovative, will excel. What they need is the opportunity, and this project seeks to provide exactly that,” he stated.
He added that the project is expected to transform lives and communities over the next decade.
“We hope that within the next 10 years of implementing this project, lives will be transformed. It is not only about individual livelihoods; the impact extends to communities.
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the farmers in Ghana for their wonderful service to humanity and to the nation. We hope that more young people will be encouraged to take up agriculture,” he added.
The project seeks to harmonise education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and workforce development into a unified platform to address gaps between theory and practice.
Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the initiative.
“KNUST has long played a central role in shaping national and continental development through excellence in science, technology, innovation, and human capacity building. We will not stop; we will continue to do so. The two initiatives we are launching today reflect our enduring commitment, as they respond directly to the urgent and emerging needs within Ghana’s agri-food and nutrition sectors.
As a university, we pledge our utmost support to what this project stands for, and we will give it our all. I urge all of us to work together to ensure that we continue to tick the right boxes.”
The project brings together seven academic institutions, government agencies, industry partners, NGOs and local communities to drive collaboration and high-impact outcomes," she stated.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Fred Nimoh, speaking on behalf of the provost, commended the partnership and assured CANR’s full support for the implementation of the project.
The event drew Heads of Department, industry stakeholders, students, and representatives from partner institutions, and featured an exhibition showcasing the works of the various departments within the College of Agriculture.
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